Johnny Mathis sings Christmas favorites

Johnny Mathis, one of the three kings of vocal Christmas music, warms up his rich, gilded pipes for a program of holiday favorites at 8 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Wells Fargo Center for the Arts.

The program brings back happy memories of Christmases past, with old chestnuts like “Silver Bells,” “A Christmas Song” and “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”

Mathis will be accompanied by a big orchestra and will share the stage with comedian and country musician Gary Mule Deer. Tickets are $69.75-$99.75. 546-3600 or wellsfargocenterarts.org. 50 Mark West Springs Road, Santa Rosa.

— Diane Peterson

Seasonal must-sees: ‘Carol,’ ‘Nutcracker’

What is the holiday season without “A Christmas Carol” and “The Nutcracker”? Productions of these two classic abound, but here are a few samples:

Tim Hayes returns as Ebenezer Scrooge in Sonoma County Repertory Theater’s production of Dickens’ tale, running through Dec. 20 at 104 N. Main St., Sebastopol. Admission: $20-$25. 823-0177, the-rep.com.

Wells Fargo Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa offers two versions of “The Nutcracker”:

1. On the main stage, DRW Productions, the center’s resident dance company, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19; 2:30 p.m. Dec. 20. $25-$65. Information: 546-3600, santarosanutcracker.com.

2. Susan Lopez School of Ballet in the Merlo Theater, 1 and 5 p.m. Dec. 5, 3 p.m. Dec. 6. $12-$22. 575-5088, susanlopezballet.com.

— Dan Taylor

Cirque de Soleil in San Francisco

Cirque du Soleil opened its newest show Friday in its famous Grand Chapiteau tent at AT&T Park on Third Street in San Francisco.

“OVO,” the story of a stranger who brings a mysterious egg to the land of insects, will play San Francisco until it moves Feb. 4 to the Taylor Street Bridge in San Jose.

“The egg is a symbol of life, and of the perpetuation of life, and the insects are curious,” the show’s artistic director, Nicolette Naum, explains.

Showtimes: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 1 and 5 p.m. Sundays. $60-$135; children age 2-12, $42-$94.50; students and seniors, $54-$112.50 weekdays only. (800) 450-1480, cirquedusoleil.com/ovo

— Dan Taylor